Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control
Weight Status Underestimation and Weight Management Goals among Adults in the Rural South of the United States
Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Diabetes in Pennsylvania: Prevention and Maintenance Programs
Present data and describes government and non-government programs working to help people prevent and manage diabetes in Pennsylvania. Includes information about possible new treatments and summaries of other new research on diabetes including the effects of social determinants of health. Mentions special needs of rural and underserved populations.
Author(s): Allison Kobzowicz, Lydia K. Ring, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Present data and describes government and non-government programs working to help people prevent and manage diabetes in Pennsylvania. Includes information about possible new treatments and summaries of other new research on diabetes including the effects of social determinants of health. Mentions special needs of rural and underserved populations.
Author(s): Allison Kobzowicz, Lydia K. Ring, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Combined Prevalence of Chronic Conditions or Obesity for Adults in 2022
Examines the combined prevalence of obesity and chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, among others, by demographic group, utilizing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component data. See Figure 6 for a comparison of prevalence between metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs.
Author(s): Zhengyi Fang, Rebecca Ahrnsbrak
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Examines the combined prevalence of obesity and chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, among others, by demographic group, utilizing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component data. See Figure 6 for a comparison of prevalence between metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs.
Author(s): Zhengyi Fang, Rebecca Ahrnsbrak
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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U.S. Obesity Rate Changes Differ for Rural and Urban Areas, as Well as Across Regions
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Association Between Obesogenic Environments and Childhood Overweight/Obesity Across the United States: Differences by Rurality
Examines the impact of environmental factors on childhood obesity in rural areas. Utilizes the Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index (COEI) to analyze statistical differences in rural versus urban counties in the U.S. Discusses the relationship of COEI variables and childhood overweight/obesity rates.
Author(s): Kara Davis, Demetrius A. Abshire, Courtney Monroe, Caroline Rudisill, Andrew T. Kaczynski
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Examines the impact of environmental factors on childhood obesity in rural areas. Utilizes the Childhood Obesogenic Environment Index (COEI) to analyze statistical differences in rural versus urban counties in the U.S. Discusses the relationship of COEI variables and childhood overweight/obesity rates.
Author(s): Kara Davis, Demetrius A. Abshire, Courtney Monroe, Caroline Rudisill, Andrew T. Kaczynski
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Final Report - To the General Assembly of Virginia
Recommendations for improvement in healthcare in rural Virginia, based on information from meetings with providers and citizens in rural areas. Areas of focus are health workforce, maternal health, dental care, obesity, telehealth, and transportation.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Commonwealth of Virginia, House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care
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Recommendations for improvement in healthcare in rural Virginia, based on information from meetings with providers and citizens in rural areas. Areas of focus are health workforce, maternal health, dental care, obesity, telehealth, and transportation.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Commonwealth of Virginia, House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care
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Trends in Gestational Weight Gain and Prepregnancy Obesity in South Carolina, 2015–2021
Examines prepregnancy and gestational weight gain in South Carolina women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes 2015-2021 data from 239,597 mothers with data broken down by weight gain, relative prenatal risk, lifestyle and clinic factors, and sociodemographics of patients, including rurality.
Author(s): Sarah E. Simpson, Angela M. Malek, Chun-Che Wen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 12/2024
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Examines prepregnancy and gestational weight gain in South Carolina women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes 2015-2021 data from 239,597 mothers with data broken down by weight gain, relative prenatal risk, lifestyle and clinic factors, and sociodemographics of patients, including rurality.
Author(s): Sarah E. Simpson, Angela M. Malek, Chun-Che Wen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 12/2024
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Caring for Pennsylvanians with Dementia and Related Disorders: An Analysis of Needs and Capacity in Rural Areas, 2024 to 2034
Examines potential demand for care of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (ADRD) in rural Pennsylvania. Features county-level maps showing numbers of various types of care facilities and their capacity, and statistics including projections of the population aged 65+ and rate of increase from 2020 to 2040, age-adjusted mortality rate from ADRD, projections of number of ADRD cases by 2040, and impact of smoking and obesity on ADRD, with breakdowns by county.
Author(s): Dara P. Bourassa, Sara A. Grove
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Examines potential demand for care of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (ADRD) in rural Pennsylvania. Features county-level maps showing numbers of various types of care facilities and their capacity, and statistics including projections of the population aged 65+ and rate of increase from 2020 to 2040, age-adjusted mortality rate from ADRD, projections of number of ADRD cases by 2040, and impact of smoking and obesity on ADRD, with breakdowns by county.
Author(s): Dara P. Bourassa, Sara A. Grove
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Is Walk Score a Useful Tool for Measuring Walkability in Rural Communities?
Discuss the utility of measuring walkability in rural communities. Highlights the differences in rural infrastructure and the physical activity practices in rural communities.
Author(s): Jay E Maddock, Cindy Perry, Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e12895
Date: 11/2024
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Discuss the utility of measuring walkability in rural communities. Highlights the differences in rural infrastructure and the physical activity practices in rural communities.
Author(s): Jay E Maddock, Cindy Perry, Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e12895
Date: 11/2024
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Disparities Between Rural and Urban Communities: Response to 18 Months of Diet and Exercise Versus Control for Knee Osteoarthritis and Overweight or Obesity
Examines intervention outcomes related to pain, function, mobility, BMI, and health-related quality of life among rural and urban dwellers in North Carolina. Utilizes data from the Weight Loss and Exercise for Communities with Arthritis in North Carolina (WE-CAN) program, which provided diet and exercise (D+E) and attention control (C) interventions to 823 older adults.
Author(s): Stephen P Messier, Megan G Monroe, Leigh F Callahan, et al.
Citation: Arthritis Care & Research, 77(1), 69-76
Date: 11/2024
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Examines intervention outcomes related to pain, function, mobility, BMI, and health-related quality of life among rural and urban dwellers in North Carolina. Utilizes data from the Weight Loss and Exercise for Communities with Arthritis in North Carolina (WE-CAN) program, which provided diet and exercise (D+E) and attention control (C) interventions to 823 older adults.
Author(s): Stephen P Messier, Megan G Monroe, Leigh F Callahan, et al.
Citation: Arthritis Care & Research, 77(1), 69-76
Date: 11/2024
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